Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



Mamh 2 1926 H. A. WALLACE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1925 INVENTOR: H4 5L. W

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

7 UNITED STATES.

PATENT ori ice.

HERBERT A. W'ALLACE, 0F EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO TI-IE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWIShVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TRAIEFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application 'filed December 21, 1923. Serial No. 681,947.

To aZZ whom (it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IERBERT A. VV LLAOE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood Borough, in the county of Allegheny and State, of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Traflic-Controllirig Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates to railway trafiic controlling apparatus or the type comprising train-carried governing means controlled by energy in the trackway. More particularly my invention relates to the trackway portion of such apparatus.

1 will describe three forms of apparatus embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. 7

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a view showing one form of trackway apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2

. and 3 are views showing two modifications ot' the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and also.

embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to si1nilar parts in each of the three views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference characters 1 and 1 designate the trackrails of a stretch of railway track over which trailic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. The track rails of this stretch are divided by means of insulated joints 18, into a plurality of track sections, only one of which, section AB, is shown in the drawing. Section Afliis provided with a switch G of the usual and 1 well known form for permitting trafiic to move from section A-B into a siding Z. Associated with switch C is a switch circuit controller I) of any' convenient form and comprising three contacts 2, 3 and 4:. When switch G is normal, that is, when the switch is set for trafiic movements along section A-B, contacts 2 and 3 are open and contact 1 is closed. When switch C is in any other position, such as the reverse position to allow traffic to passfrom section A-B into siding Z, contacts 2 and 3 are closed and contact 1 is open.

Means are also provided for supplying the section with train governing current. As here shown this means comprises a circuit which I shall term a local circuit over which local current is supplied to the rails of the section in parallel.

It should be pointed out that the track tive indication such as stop is received on the train. y I

' An impedance 5 is connected across the rails adjacent the entrance end of the section, and a. similar impedance 6 is connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the section. The local current is supplied by a transformer T the primary 8 of which is constantly supplied with alternating current from some source not shown in the drawing. 7

When switch C is normal, as shown in the drawing, the local circuit for section AB passes from secondary7 of transformer T, through wire 9, contact 1 of circuit controller D, wire 10, impedance 5, through the rails of section A-B to impedance 6,.wire 11, contact 13 and wire 14 back to secondary 7 of transformer T. Contact 13 may be con trolled in any suitable manner such as by traliic conditions in advance. When this clrcult 1s closed local current is supplied to the ralls of the section throughout lts length and a train will receive'a proceed indication throughout the section. 1

When switch C is reversed, however, the local circuit passes from secondary 7 of transformer T, through wire 9, impedance 12, contact 3 of circuit controller 1), wires 15 and 16 to rail 1 and wires 15 and 17 and contact .2 of circuit controller D andwire 38 .to rail 1 thence through the rails to im pedance 6, wire 11, contact 13, wire 14, and back to secondary 7 of transformer T. The impedance 12 is so designed as to be substantially equal to the two halves of impedance 5 in parallel, and so the local current flowing through the rails of the for ward portion of section A-B will be subclosed local cur-rent is supplied to the forward portion of section AB, that is, be-

tween the switch G and point B, but no local,

currentis supplied to the rails of the rear portion of the section that is, the portion between switch G and point A. Under these conditions a train in the rear portion of the section will receive a stop indication, protecting the train against the open switchC, but a train in the forward portion of track receives a proceed indication. It is therefore plain that if a train is moving through the section and the switch 0 is reversed, the train will receive a stop indication if it is approaching the switch, but will continue to receive a proceed indication if it is receding froin the switch. It will be clear that one purpose of contact 2 of circuit controller D is to insure that equal amounts of local current flow through each of the rails.

'Although a contact similar to contact '2 is used in practically all signaling systems for a different purpose, namely to insure the shunting of the track relay when the switch is reversed, this contact is not an essential part of my invention since the wheels and axles of a train occupying the stretch would accomplish the same result.

If it is desired to operate trains over section AB in both directions the apparatus may be arranged as shown in Fig. 2. Two relays R and R, located adjacent the right hand and left hand ends, respectively, of section AB, are normally de-energized and are controlled, by means not shown in the drawing, so that when a train moves through section 1";XB from left' to right these relays are not affected, but when a train moves through this section from right to left relays R and R are energized as the train enters section AB and remain in their energized condition as long as any part of the train occupies this section. Relay R is what is known as the stick relay in single track absolute permissive signaling and relay R is a repeater of relay R.

In addition to transformer T, the section AB is further provided with a second local transformer T similar to transformer T and a second contact39 similar in function to contact 13. A fourth contact 19 is also added to circuit controller D and is arranged to be open when switch C is normal, but to be closed when the switch is reversed. When switch 0 is normal and section AB is unoccupied or is occupied by a train moving from left to right the local circuit passes from the secondary winding 7 'of transformer T, through wire 26, back contact 25 of relay R, wire 9, contact 4 of circuit con- 'troller D, wire 24, back contact 23 of relay R, wires 22 and 10, impedance 5, rails of section i k-13, impedance 6, wire 11, contact 13, and wire 14, back to transformer T.

Under these conditions a train proceeding from left to right through se'ction A-B will receive a proceed indication throughout the section.

If, while relays R and R. are still deenergized, switch C is reversed, thelocal circuit will then pass-from secondary 7 of transformer T, through wire 26, back 0011- tact 25 of relay R, wire 9, impedance 12,

"contact of circuit controller D, wires 15 and 16 to rail 1 and through wire 15, contact 2and wire 38 to rail 1, through the rails of the section to impedance 6, wire 11,

1 contact 13, and wire 14, back to transformer T. When this circuit is closed a train between point A and switch 6 will receive a stop indication and a train between switch 24, front contact '23 of relay R, and wire 27 back to transformer T. The train will thus receive a proceed indication throughout the section. If the switch C is reversed however, the local circuit will pass from secondary 7 of transformer T, through wire 29, contact 39, wire 10, impedance 5, through the rails of the section to switch '0, from rail 1 through wire 16 and contact 2 to wire 38 and from rail 1" to wire 38, contact 19, wire 30, impedance 31, wire 24, front contact 23 of relay R, and wire 27 back to secondary 7 of transformer T. When this circuit is closed a train between switch G and point A will receive a proceed indication but a train between switch C and point B will receive a stop indication.

Referring now to Fig. 3, section A-B is provided, as in Fig. 2, with two relays R and R, controlled in the manner already explained. Circuit controller D in addition to contacts2, 19, 3 and 4, is also provided with afifthcontact '32 arranged to be closed when switch C is normal, and to be opened when this switch is reversed.

hen relays R and R are (lo-energized, that is, when section AB is unoccupied or is occupied by a train moving from left to right, one local circuit passes from secondary 7 of local transformer T, through wire 26,

back'contact 21 of relay R, wire 35, contact 4, wire 34, back contact 33 of relay R, wires 22 and 10, impedance 5, throughthe rails of the section to impedance 6, 'and wire 11, contact l3 and wire 14 back to secondary 7 of transformer T. W'hen this circuit is closed ondary 7 of transformer T, through wire 26, 1

back contact 21 of relay R, wire 35,. imped ance 12, contact 3, wire 15, through wire 16 to rail 1, through contact 2 and wire 38 to rail 1, through the rails to impedance 6, wire 11, contact 13, and wire 18 back to secondary 7 of transformer T. Under these conditions section A-B is provided. with local current between switch C and point B but with no local current between point A and switch C. A train proceeding from left to right through the section will receive a proceed indication throughout the section if switch C is normal but if switch C is reversed it will receive a stop indication between point A and switch G, and a proceed indication between switch C and point B.

When section AB is occupied by a train moving from right to left relays R and R are energized, and, if switch G is normal local current flows from secondary? transformer T, through wire 29, contact 39, wire 10, impedance 5, throughthe ralls of the section to impedance 6, wires 11 and 28, contact 25 of relay R, wire 36, contact 32 of circuit controller 1), wire 37, front contact 23 of relay R, and wire 27 back to secondary 'l' of transformer T. hen this circuit is closed local current is supplied to section AB throughout its length and the train receives a proceed indication throughout the section. When relays R and R are energized, and switch (l is reversed local current flows from secondary 7 of transformer T, through wire 29, contact 39, wire 10, impedance 5, through the rails of the section to switch G, thence from rail.1,,through wire 16, contact 2, wire 38, contact 19 to wire. 30,

and from rail 1, through wire 38 and con tact 1%) to wire 30, through impedance 31, wire 37, front contact 23 of relay R, and wire 27 back to secondary 7 of transformer T. .iVhen this circuit is closed a train receives a proceed indication between switch C and point A and a stop indication between switch G and point B.

It should be pointed out that althoughin these drawings Ihave illustrated the local circuits controlled by the switch through the medium of a switch circuit controller, I do not wish to be limited to this particular form of controller. On the contrary, my invention may be practiced by substituting for the circuit controller 1) any suitable device which will control the local circuit as pointed out in the accompanying specification.

Although I have herein shown and de scribed only three forms and arrangements of railway trailic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope ofiny invention.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim is: I

1. In a railway traffic controlling system foruse with train-carried governing means arranged to display av less restrictive indication when the track: occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a more restrictive indication when the supply of such current is interrupted, the combination of a stretch of railway track, a switch in said stretch,

and means for supplying said stretch with train governing current throughout the length of the. stretch when the switch is normal but for supplying train governing current to said stretch onlybetween the forward end of the stretch and said switch when the switch is reversed.

2. In a railway traflic controlling system for use with train-carried governing means arranged to display a less restrictive indication when the track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a more restrictive indication when the supply of such current is interrupted, the combination ofa stretch of railway track, a switch in said stretch, and means for supplying said stretch with train governing current throughout the entire length of the stretch when the. switch is normal but for supplying train governing current to said stretch between the switch and the forward end of thestretch and discontinuing such supply switch, means effective when said switch is normal for supplying train governing cur rent to both said portions, but for supplying train governingcurrent only to said forward portion when the switch is reversed.

4.:111 arailway tratiic controllingsystem for use with train-carried governing means arranged to display a less restrictive indication when the track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a more restrictive indication when the supply of such current in interrupted, the com bination of a stretch of track divided into a forward portion and a rear portion by a switch, a source of train governing current for said stretch, and means for controlling the supplyof train governing current from said source to said rear portion but not to said forward portion in accordance with the position *of said switch. In a railway traiiic controlling system for use with train-carried governing nieans arrar' 'ed to display a less restrictive indicat-ion when the track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current-and a more restrictive indication iwlie'n'the supply o l such current is interrupted, the combina tion of a stretch of track divided into a forward portion and a rear portion by a switch, a circuit controller operated by said switch, and means controlled by said circuit controller for supplying both said portions with train governing curren't when the switch in one position but for sup? switch, a circuit controller operated by saidv su ch, and means controlled by said circuit controller for supplying current to the rails of said stretch in parallel throughout their length when said/switch is normal, but for supplyin current to the rails of said forward portion only when said. switch is reversed.

7. Railway traific controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of track divided into a forward and a rear portion by :a switch, a source of local current, a circuit controller operated :by said switch and comprising two normally open contacts and a normally closed contact; a local circuit including said source, said normally closed contact and the rails of said stretch in parallel; and a second local circuit arranged to be closed only when said switch is reversed and including said source, said normally open cont acts and the rails of said forward portion of track in parallel.

8. In a railway trafiic controlling system foruse with traincarried governing-means arranged to display a proceed indicatlon when the track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a stop indication when such supply is ulterrupted, the combination ofza stretch oftrack provided with a switch, and means for causing a train in advance of said switch to receive a proceed indication but for causing a train in rear of such switch to receive a stop indication when such switch is reversed.

9. In a railway trailic controlling system.

lessees providedwith'a switch, and means for causing a train receding from said switch to receive a proceed indication, but for causing a train aproaching said switch to receive a stop indication when the switch is reversed.

:10. Railway trafiic cont-rolling apparatus comprising a stretch of railway track, a switch in said stretch, means for supplying train-governing current to the rails occupied by a train receding from said switch in either direction regardless of the condition of the switch, but tor interanpti-ng such supply when'the train is approaching the switch and the switch is reversed.

lil. Railway traflic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of track over which tr-aflic moves in both directions, a switch in said stretch, means effective when a train moving in either direction occupies the stretch for supplying the entire section with train governing current when the switch is normal and for supplying only that portion of the stretch in advance of the switch with train governing current when the switch is reversed.

12. In a railway .trafiic controlling systein fornse with train-carried governing means arranged to display a less restrictive indication when the track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a more restrictive indication when the supply of such current is interrupted, the combinationoi' a stretch of track over which trafiic moves lIl hoth directions, a switch in said stretch, and means for supplying said stretch with train governing current throughout its length or for a portion only of the stretch in accordance with the position of said switch. 13. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of track over which trallic'moves in both directions, a switch in said stretch, two sources Of energy, means for supplying local current to said stretch from one said source or the other depending upon thedirec'tion of motion or" a train occupying the stretch, and means for supplyingsuch local current to the entire stretch or to :a portion only of such stretch in advance of the switch in accordance with the position of the switch.

14. In a railway trailic controlling system for use with'train-carried governing moans arranged to display a less restrictive indication when the'track occupied by the train is supplied with train governing current and a more restrictive indication when the supply of such current is interrupted, the combination'ofa stretch of track, a switch in said stretch, and means for supplying said "stretch with train governing current throughout the length 01 the stretch when the switch is normal but for supplying train goveri'i'ing current to a portion only of said stretch when the switch is reversed.

15. Railway trailiic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of railway track, a switch in said stretch, and means controlled by traffic conditions for supplying said stretch with train governing current throughout the length of the stretch when the switch is normal but for supplying tram governing current to said stretch only between the forward end of the stretch and said switch when the switch is reversed.

16. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of railway track, a switch in said stretch, means responslve to traffic conditions for supplying train governing current to the rails occupied by train receding from said switch in eitherd1- rection regardless of the condition of the switch but for interrupting such supply when the train is approaching the switch and the switch is reversed.

17. In combination, a section of railway track containing a switch, and means associated with said section and controlled by said switch for governing a train in said section approaching said switch but not a train receding from said switch.

'18. In combination, a section of rallwazy track containing a switch, and means association with said section and operating when said switch is reversed to give a restrictive indication on a train approaching the switch but not on a train receding from the switch.

19. In combination, a section of railway track containing a switch, and means operating when said switch is reversed to give a more restrictive indication on a train in said section approaching the switch and a less restrictive indication on a train in said section receding from the switch.

20. In combination, a section of railway track containing a switch, means associated with said section for positively giving a less restrictive indication to a train throughout the section when traiiic conditions in ad vance of the section are clear, and apparatus controlled by said switch and operating when the switch is reversed to prevent said means from giving said less restrictive indication to atrain approaching the switch but not to a train receding from the-switch.

21. In combination, a section of railway track containing a switch, a source of traflic controlling current for said section, and means operating when said switch is in the reverse position for disconnecting said source from a portion of the section and introducing an impedance between said source and the remainder of the section.

22. In combination, a section of railway track containing a switch, means for normally supplying tratfic controlling current to the rails of said section in parallel throughout the length of the section, and means operating when said switch is in the reverse position for discontinuing the sup ply of said current to a portion of said circuit and introducing an impedance between the source of such current and the rails of the remainder of the section.

23. In combination, a section of railway track, a switch in said section, and means for applying to the rails of said section a relatively high traflic controlling voltage when said switch is in the normal position and a relatively low traffic controlling voltage when the switch is in the reverse position.

24:. In combination, a section of railway track, a switch in said section, and means controlled by said switch for applying a relatively high traffic controlling voltage tothe railsof said entire section or a relatively low tranic controlling voltage to the rails of only a portion of said section according to the position of said switch.

25. In combination, a section of railway track, a switch in said section, and means controlled by tra'liic conditions in advance of said section for applying to the rails of said section a relatively high traflic controlling voltage when said switch is in the normal position and a relatively low trafiic controlling voltage when the switch is in the reverse position.

26. In combination, a section of railway track, a switch in saidsection, two impedances connected across the rails adjacent the entrance and exit ends respectively of said section, a source of current having its two terminals normally connected with saidtwo impedances respectively, and means operating when said switch is reversed to disconnect one terminal of said source from the impedance at the entrance end of the section and to connect said one'terminal with the track rails adjacent the switch. i

27. In combination, a section of railway track, a switch in said section,two impedances connected across the rails adjacent the entrance and exit ends respectively of said section, a source of current having its two terminals normally connected with said two impedances respectively, and means operating when said switch is reversed to disconnect one terminal of said source fromxtl'ie impedance at the entrance end of the section and to connect said one terminal with the track rails adjacent the switch through a third impedance.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa-' ture.

HERBERT A. WALLACE. 

